For the technology to operate it requires the receiver to have their faxes to be sent to a phone number specifically allocated to them by the service provider. For users that already have a well known fax number to their customers it is a straightforward case of putting a divert on the present number. However, for users that don't have an established fax number and are happy to promote the service providers allocated number it means that to gather faxes they can completely get rid with the fax machine and sometimes even the phone line that would have been required.
While fax to email equipment does not entirely remove the need for a fax machine to transmit faxes it definitely makes it less vital for receiving them. Provided the recipient can get email then they can get their faxes, even out on the road if they are using a mobile device or computer that allows the opening of PDFs.
Receiving a fax as an attachment instead of a printed document means that the reciever is able to see the fax first and decide if they want to print. With more and more fax spam sent then this technology can rapidly start to save money as you are no longer forced to burn through expensive ink cartridges to have the delight in receiving a deeply coloured scrap of junk. Instead the spam can be seen as an email and deleted.
For lots in financial services can also be seen as a very safe way of receiving confidential documents. Pieces of paper lying on a fax device can be picked up by anyone, misplaced, spoiled or simply not printed out in the first place. By recieving faxes as an email it means that clients information and documents can be deposited electronically.
The advantages of using a fax2email service are 2-fold. First of all it is an extremely cost effective way of gathering faxes as it eliminates the requirement for a fax device, modem, phoneline and also gets rid off the costs associated with printing off faxes. Second of all it is a far more convenient way of receiving data as it allows users to electronically save documents.
But just how do you send a "Fax to Email" or vice versa "Email to Fax?"
First, you have to understand one of the best ways to do this is to sign-up to an online fax service provider, where you will be given a local or Toll-Free fax number, which you can use to send and receive all your faxes. Your online fax provider acts as your intermediary to handle and process all your faxes.
Keep in mind, Internet faxing is simply using your email system and the Internet to send and receive your faxes. Because it is web-based, your faxes are available anytime, anywhere, as long as you have Internet access. Most providers will supply you with an online site (interface) where your faxes are stored. You can also send and receive your faxes from your login site.
Basically, you can send a fax to your online faxing service and they will forward it to the recipient in an email, your fax will be an attachment - usually in PDF or TIFF format. Likewise, you can use your email to send a fax, most companies will give you exact directions on how to do this. In most cases, to send a fax thru your email you simply enter the fax number you want dialed as a prefix in an email to your Fax Provider account - i.e. recipient's faxnumber@yourfaxcompany.com and attach your fax document.
Again, your online fax service provider acts as your intermediary on your behalf to process your faxes. That way you can still use email fax to send a fax to a traditional fax machine and vice versa. So you're not limited in any way by using an Internet Faxing service.
As mentioned before, in order to start using Internet faxing you have to sign-up to an online provider. There are numerous different faxing companies you can use but remember this is usually a long term service so do your homework now and you can save yourself some serious cash over the long haul. Your main goal is to find a fax service that meets your specific needs or requirements.
Monthly charges usually runs around $10 a month but there are cheaper options if your faxing requirements are very minimum. Some services offer a "pay-as-you-go" plan or have a yearly fee of around $20. So it does indeed pay to shop around.
Online fax has many advantages over the traditional way of faxing; mainly it is paperless, inkless, more convenient, more secure and you don't need a fax machine or an extra phone line. Besides, it is totally mobile, compatible with laptops, PDAs, cell phones... and available anywhere you have the Internet.
Regardless of what you call it: online fax, web fax... this is one service that will be here to stay.
Both Nickywalker & Titus Hoskins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Nickywalker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Debts Loans, Time Management Skills and Information Technology. Nicky Walker has more than 10 years know-how in telecoms and recently services. Having worked within some of the biggest businesses in Br. Nickywalker's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.
Titus Hoskins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Desktop, RSS and Computers and The Internet. For more information on Internet Fax Services use this handy online Comparison Guide to get your own: Or if you want more detailed information try. Titus Hoskins's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.